What's a Palliative Social Worker? | Medical Social Work Skills, Salary & Insights for New MSWs

In this episode, host Catherine Moore, LCSW, breaks down what it means to be a Palliative Care Social Worker — a role focused on enhancing quality of life for patients with serious or life-limiting illnesses.

You’ll learn how palliative social workers support the emotional, social, and spiritual needs of patients and families through psychosocial assessments, family meetings, and advance care planning — all while collaborating with nurses, physicians, and chaplains as part of an interdisciplinary team.

Catherine explains salaries, how to get started, the difference between hospice and palliative care (hint: palliative care isn’t just for end-of-life) and explores the key skills you’ll need, including:

- Communication & compassion in difficult conversations

- Grief counseling, trauma-informed care, and crisis intervention

- Navigating family conflict with cultural humility

- Self-awareness, emotional boundaries, and self-care to prevent compassion fatigue

Whether you’re a new MSW graduate exploring career paths or simply curious about medical social work, this episode offers a clear, compassionate look into palliative care and the heart of this meaningful field.

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